National Register Listing

Albany Rural Cemetery

Cemetery Ave., Menands, NY
The rural cemetery movement in America began in Cambridge,Massachusetts in 1831 with the design of the Mount Auburn Cemetery.It gained its impetus from the happy convergence of three forces: The Romantic movement in literature and art, an increased interest in horticulture and landscaping and the poor, overcrowded conditions of many graveyards within city limits where land was limited. Thus was born the need for both a pastoral setting and a decent burial site: the rural cemetery. Albany Rural Cemetery founded in 1844 is an early example in the movement following Greenwood Cemetery in New York City by only four years, and Mount Auburn in Cambridge, the earliest rural cemetery in America by thirteen years. It is significant as a fine example of this type of cemetery which rapidly became popular throughout the East and Midwest. The Victorian approach to death was a sentimental one.Many of the monuments employ symbols which spoke eloquently to the Victorians: crosses, anchors, draped urns, mourning figures, tree stumps,small Grecian temples,” all were regarded as suitable memorials to the dead. The irregular landscaping, the winding roads, lakes and picturesque vistas all bespoke a sense of sylvan placidity to our Victorian ancestors,marking a fit place for the dead to repose and for the living to wander.The rural cemetery provided people in the nineteenth century with an easily viewable collection of American sculpture: a kind of outdoor sculpture museum.

The Albany Rural Cemetery contains records in stone of the feelings and attitudes about death as expressed by relatives of the deceased and by the craftsmen who created the memorials. These feelings are expressed in the design of the memorials, the materials, size, lettering, and choice of words that are used to remember the dead, as well as by the pastoral setting. The cemetery reflects changing tastes and attitudes about death from 1844, when it was founded, until the present day. It contains a fine collection of nineteenth and twentieth century mortuary art which reflects the changes in decorative art taste during that period.
Local significance of the district:
Landscape Architecture; Art; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

gravesites
The Empire State Building, which was completed in 1931, was built during the Great Depression and was funded entirely by private investors. At the time of its completion, it was the tallest building in the world.
New York random facts
Albany County, located in the state of New York, has a rich history that dates back to the early European settlement in the 17th century. The region was initially inhabited by the Mohican Native American tribe before Dutch explorers arrived in the early 1600s. In 1614, a trading post was established by the Dutch West India Company, marking the beginning of European settlement in the area.

In 1664, the English took control of the region and renamed it Albany, after the Duke of Albany, who would later become King James II. Albany became a significant center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location along the Hudson River. The city's growth was further stimulated by the establishment of Fort Orange, a trading post that served as a vital link between the Dutch and Native Americans.

Throughout the 18th century, Albany County played a crucial role in the American Revolution. The city became a center of political activity, and in 1754, it hosted the Albany Congress, where representatives from several colonies gathered to discuss a unified response to the French threat. Albany was also a key transportation hub during the war, as troops and supplies moved along the Hudson River.

During the early 19th century, Albany County experienced significant industrial and economic development. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 connected Albany to the Great Lakes, allowing for increased trade and the growth of manufacturing industries. The city also became the capital of New York State in 1797, solidifying its position as a political and administrative center.

Today, Albany County continues to thrive as the heart of New York's Capital Region. It is known for its diverse culture, rich historical landmarks, and educational institutions such as the University at Albany. The county reflects a blend of its early Dutch and English colonial roots with modern urbanization, making it a fascinating destination with a deep historical legacy.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Albany County, New York.

  • 1683 - Albany County is officially established by the Province of New York.
  • 1777 - Albany County becomes a strategic location during the American Revolutionary War.
  • 1791 - The city of Albany is incorporated and becomes the county seat.
  • 1800s - Albany County experiences rapid industrialization and becomes a center for trade and transportation.
  • 1812 - The War of 1812 brings increased military activity to the county.
  • 1825 - Erie Canal opens, connecting Albany County to the Great Lakes and boosting the local economy.
  • 1846 - Albany County is divided, creating the separate county of Rensselaer.
  • 1883 - The State Capitol building in Albany is completed.
  • 1936 - The Albany County Airport (now Albany International Airport) opens.
  • 1972 - The Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza is completed in Albany.
  • 1998 - Albany County celebrates its 315th anniversary.